Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:6-7
Where is your confidence? In this psalm David infers that to place confidence in any strength other than God is foolish. No earthly power or wisdom can top that of our great God! In this “war song” we are able to see where David put his confidence.
This past week we have observed David’s response to the numerous obstacles that have been thrown in front of him. He has had enemies on all sides. And yet he was able to persevere. In our passage today we see by the writing of his own hand how that was possible. David chose to not trust the things that the world trusts. He’s not putting his bets on human strength or wisdom. He acknowledges that the world is apt to trust those things; we may be tempted to trust those things as well. He pointedly states, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:7)
The name of the Lord is synonymous with His character. Therefore, in his commentary on Psalm 20 Charles Spurgeon was able to write:
The name of our God is JEHOVAH, and this should never be forgotten; the self-existent, independent, immutable, ever-present, all-filling I AM. Let us adore that matchless name, and never dishonour it by distrust or creature confidence.
David trusted that God, because of His character, was going to see him through. He might lose a battle here and there (or a game!) but he was assured that because of God’s character victory was assured! He would have wholeheartedly agreed with the apostle John who wrote, “the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
If you are finding your confidence any place other than in God Himself you will miss out on God’s victory in your life. If your confidence is in the Lord you will be able to exclaim with David:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand.
(Psalm 20:6)
Carry this into battle with you today!